25-2

"Deal!" She laughs and shakes his outstretched hand gently. "Have you eaten yet? Should we get a nurse?" I ask and he shakes his head. "I had breakfast so I'm all good." He pats his belly lightly with a smile. "Did they say when you'll be discharged?" Theo asks as I give Aria my phone to play some games on. "Not yet no, they probably will when my results come back. I doubt I'll be let go early because of the type of wound." He shrugs only to wince briefly when it hurts. "Please don't tell me mom and dad have lost their minds?" Just then the door opens and we turn to see Michelle and Evan step inside. I get off the bed to see Judah glare at Theo for a moment before smiling at his parents. Michelle and Evan rush to his side as I take a seat beside Theo. "Oh my god! Are you okay?!" Michelle rambles in a panicked tone as she fawns over him. "Does it hurt?! What did the doctors say?!" Evan asks equally concerned. "I'm fine and no, it doesn't hurt as much." He tries to reassure them with a smile. "I promise, I'm absolutely fine." Both hover around him for a few more seconds before they turn to me. Michelle's eyes brim with tears as she rushes over to me. I stand just in time for her to pull me in a tight hug and call Aria over. Evan joins our embrace and we stand holding onto each other before pulling away when content. "I'm so relieved you both are safe and here. We were worried sick!" She kisses my forehead before bending down to do the same to Aria. "Any injuries? Did the doctors or nurses check you?" Evan asks worriedly and exhales in relief when I nod. "Just a few scrapes and bruises, we'll be fine." I smile reassuringly as Aria takes her seat again with my phone. They sit down on the other chairs before Michelle shakes her head in disbelief. "What happened?" I take a deep breath and glance at Theo. He smiles gently while taking my hand in his with a nod. Turning back to them I tell them everything that happened. Their expressions range from confusion to shock to worry and lastly anger. "Where is he now?" Evan asks softly after I finish. "He's in this hospital, has three bullet wounds and other injuries. I think he's woken up but as soon he heals he's being transported to jail." Theo clarifies as he rubs the pad of his thumb against my skin absentmindedly. "If the police have everything they need you guys should head home. We can stay with Judah and fly out after he's discharged." Michelle murmurs as she casts a worried glance at him. "A-Are you sure? We can –" "No, no!" She shakes her head adamantly in refusal. "You both need rest too and I'm sure you'd like to be back home. Theo, see if you can get a flight out for tonight or tomorrow morning?" "On it." He grins just as Roman comes back. His eyes widen before they dart to the brown paper bag. Judah's face lights up in excitement whereas their parents' eyes narrow in suspicion. They get up to hug him before Evan grabs the bag from him and looks inside. "Judah...seriously?!" Evan sighs heavily with a glare. "You can't eat this junk. The hospital will be giving you the food you need. Roman, you know better!" "Dad come on! You know I don't like hospital food, it's all so bland to me!" He protests but inhales sharply after he accidentally throws up his arms. "Oh god, are you okay?" Michelle frowns as she places her hand lightly near his wound. "Evan let him have it please? Did you have breakfast today sweetheart?" "Yeah but I'm hungry again so..." He trails off with big, innocent eyes. I watch as she melts and immediately grabs the bag from Evan. He sighs before grumbling under his breath about how she can never say no to him. Michelle glares in response which makes us all laugh. Judah takes a bite out of his burger and chips happily before offering everyone some. "Rome? Are you staying or does Elena need you back home?" Evan asks and Roman nods in response. "I'll stay just until things are fully cleared with the police here. Elena's got Noah and Mac helping out so she said it's fine." He crosses his arms and leans against the wall before looking at us. "You guys heading home?" "Yeah, these two need some rest. There's a flight leaving tonight so we'll take that." Theo answers and I nod in agreement. "We'll be filing charges as soon as they've settled back in." I am starting to feel a little uneasy though over the thought of returning home. Mine and Aria's safety and privacy was violated. I don't think I'll be comfortable staying there and will most likely be paranoid all the time even though there's no threat anymore. Looks like I'll be searching for a new house, I think to myself with a soft sigh. We stay with Judah for a while longer before the doctors come in. After we're told that he's recovering well and there isn't any signs of irritations they leave. His eyelids start fluttering shut and we get up to hug him goodbye. I step forward after Theo and Aria and smile at him gently. "Get well soon and I'll see you back in Dallas okay?" I murmur as I hug him while avoiding pressing down on his chest. "I will. Have a...safe...flight. Bye...guys." He mumbles sleepily before his eyes fully close and he's out like a light. I chuckle before hugging Michelle, Evan, and Roman goodbye. Theo takes my hand as soon as I step out of the room and intertwines it with his. We make our way out of the hospital and into the rental car waiting for us. I stare out at the scenery as we drive to our hotel. It's only a ten-minute drive and we ask the driver to wait before we go inside to grab our things. Checking out is easy enough and Theo handles it all before we're back in the car and off towards the airport. I lean my head against his shoulder with a tired sigh before looping my arm through his. "We'll be home soon." He whispers with a soft kiss to my temple. Aria is cuddled up to him too and already snoring away. "I want you guys to stay with me if you're okay with it?" At that I pull away and stare at him in surprise. "What?" "Just for my peace of mind please?" He pleads softly and I find myself melting under those pale green eyes. "I don't want to be far from you two right now." I hesitate before nodding. "Okay, I'd feel safer with you too." A gorgeous smile brightens his features. "I love you sunshine." "I missed hearing that." I laugh and lean against him again. "I love you too Theo." "My sweet ray of sunshine." He grins with a cheeky wink. As we take off three hours later I find myself looking down at the lands of Mexico. Sadness creeps within me when I realize I have nothing but bad memories of my time here. But when Theo drapes his arm across my shoulders and pulls me close it eases the heartache a little. I inhale his cologne discreetly and close my eyes. He feels like a security blanket wrapped around me in a loving embrace. I realize then that no matter where I go I'll only feel like home when I'm with Theo. There's no place I'd rather be.